Salvia microphylla Pink Lips

Salvia microphylla 'Pink Lips' (Jeremy) is a variety of shrubby sage that has a unique presence, both in borders and in a large pot on a terrace. This pretty version with pink and white flowers of Salvia 'Hot Lips' has the same characteristics: it is an easy-to-grow and very floriferous shrubby perennial, whose flowering changes colour depending on the ambient temperature, ranging from white to white-pink, then to pure pink. Forming in sunny borders like a bush covered in confetti for several months, it may be easier to match with many other plants in the garden than 'Hot Lips'. Place it near a pathway, where you won't miss brushing against its fragrant foliage.

Salvia microphylla 'Pink Lips' is a brand new Belgian variety derived from a shrubby botanical species called Graham's Sage. It belongs to the Lamiaceae or Labiate family. It is native to the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico, as well as southern Arizona. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate the presence of rocks and limestone in the soil. Its hardiness is around -10° C (14° F) in almost dry soil during winter.

'Pink Lips' is a well-branched woody perennial plant that has a bushy and spreading habit, slightly wider than it is tall. This variety reaches about 80 cm (31.5 in) in all directions at maturity. Its nectar-rich flowering is particularly generous, spreading from May to October depending on the climate, slowing down in summer if the soil is dry. Its autumn flowering is remarkable and only stops when the cold puts an end to it. The small bilabiate flowers emerge from the foliage, clustered in spikes. They measure barely more than 2 cm (0.8 in) in length. They only live for a day, covering the ground with their petals in the evening, but will already be replaced the next morning. When the temperature is cool in spring, the flowers are mostly white. In summer, they are bi-coloured, white with pink lips, sometimes entirely pink if it is very hot. In autumn, they become a deeper pink. The semi-evergreen foliage is composed of small ovate leaves, 2 cm to 4 cm (0.8 in to 1.6 in) long, with serrated edges. The leaves are dark green, thick and aromatic, slightly sticky, and release a strongly acidic-smelling essential oil with heat. Under the effect of cold, they take on a reddish hue. This sage, known for its drought tolerance, will still require some watering in very dry climates during summer.

This eye-catching sage brings life to any flower border for almost 6 months. It works well alongside the spring blooms of rock roses, rosemary, bearded irises, and peonies. Its pink and white flowering pairs well with summer white, mauve, pink, or blue blooms. In summer, it will look sublime next to the silver foliage of cotton lavenders, Helichrysum italicum, or shrubby wormwoods. It looks fabulous when planted alongside autumn asters: choose undemanding types, such as Aster laevis, A. turbinellus, or A.amellus, for example. Gauras, tall sedums (Sedum 'Matrona'), and shrubby potentillas will create a charming tableau with it. On a terrace, place it in a large pot, right next to a Cape Plumbago; the colour combination is fantastic!

In Mexico, a delicious tea is prepared with the leaves of this sage, which is called 'mountain myrtle' there.